High energy beam diffraction material treatment system

ABSTRACT

A coherent beam treatment system produces a first and second energy beam that are coherent at a treatment location. An energy beam includes a neutron beam, a proton beam, an electron beam, acoustic waves, a laser and x-ray. An energy beam may be defined by a wave, such as a sinusoidal wave having a frequency and amplitude. A control system may produce a first and second beam that have coherence at a treatment location. Coherence is a location where two beams have matching wave profiles. A beam may be defined by a simple sinusoidal equation wherein the frequency and amplitude are constant as a function of time. A beam may be defined by a complex wave equation, wherein the frequency or amplitude change as a function of time. A control system may modulate one or more of the beam equations to change a location of coherence.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/925,970, filed on Oct. 28, 2015, entitled Neutron BeamMaterial Treatment System and currently pending, which is a continuationin part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/525,506, filed on Oct.28, 2014, entitled Neutron Beam Regulator and Containment System, andnow issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,269,470; the entirety of both are isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to coherent beam treatment system thatproduces a first and second energy beam that are coherent at a treatmentlocation.

Background

High energy beams are used for a wide variety of treatment applicationsincluding material treatment, such as the treatment of plastics andmetals, and organic tissue treatment, such as the treatment of tumors.High energy beams include acoustic beams or waves, neutron beams, protonbeams, lasers, and x-rays, that may be defined by a wave. In manytreatment applications, a beam is passed through a person's body to atreatment location. The beam passes through the body and is incident onthe treatment location, such as a tumor. All of the tissue that the beampasses through is being exposed to the high energy beam and this may notbe desirable. In other applications, a first and second beam may beconfigured to intersect at a treatment location, as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/525,506, filed on Oct. 28, 2014, entitledNeutron Beam Regulator and Containment System. The beams may diffractand the diffraction may increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

High energy beam may be used in a variety of applications includinganalytical methods, cancer treatment and to treat or condition variousmaterials. For example, neutron beams are used for scattering anddiffraction material analysis of material properties and particularlythe crystallinity of a material. The highly penetrating nature ofneutron beams may be used in the treatment of cancerous tumors. Anotheruse of neutron beams may be to treat materials, and particularly metals,wherein neutron bombardment lodges neutrons into the metal toeffectively harden the metal. Neutron bombardment can create pointdefects and dislocations that stiffen or harden the materials. These andother uses of neutron beams can potentially expose people to neutronradiation and neutron activation, the ability of neutron radiation toinduce detrimental high energy in body tissue or other substances andobjects exposed thereto.

Neutron beam radiation protection generally utilizes radiationshielding, or placing a material around the beam, beam source and targetthat absorbs neutrons. Common neutron shielding materials include highmolecular weight hydrocarbons such as polyethylene and paraffin wax, aswell as concrete, boron containing materials including boron carbide,boron impregnated silica glass, borosilicate glass, high-boron steel,and water and heavy water. These shielding materials have varying levelsof effectiveness and can become radioactive over time, thereby requiringthem to be changed out. In addition, a shield may not be installed orproperly positioned during use of a neutron beam, thereby exposingworkers and the surrounding environment to neutron radiation.

Neutrons can be guided by a vacuum tube having an inner surface coatedwith a neutron reflector, such as nickel. This reduces the loss ofneutrons through scattering of the beam. Although neutron guides cantransport neutron beams, they do not act to focus or reduce beamdivergence. Magnetic fields can be used to affect a neutron beam shape,intensity, velocity, direction and polarization. Magnetic fieldsgenerated by an electrical current running through a coil, for example,may be used to direct, intensify and contain a neutron beam. However, aneutron beam source, such as a neutron beam generator, may be operatedindependently of an electrical current generated magnetic fieldconfigured to direct and otherwise contain a neutron beam, leaving thesystem susceptible to operating in an unsafe condition when no othercontainment system is employed.

Materials or parts hardened through neutron bombardment may only requirehardening over a particular area, or a higher degree of hardening in aparticular region of the part. Current neutron bombardment systemsprovide a uniform dosing of neutrons to the material or part and do notenable a gradient of hardening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a coherent beam treatment system thatproduces a first and second energy beam that are coherent at a treatmentlocation. An energy beam, as used herein, includes a neutron beam, aproton beam, an electron beam, acoustic waves, a laser and x-ray. A highenergy beam, or simply beam used herein, may be defined by a wave, suchas a sinusoidal wave having a frequency and amplitude. The presentinvention provides a control system for creating coherence between afirst and second beam at a treatment location. Coherence is a locationwhere two waves have matching wave profiles. As an example, coherencebetween two waves wherein a first wave has a frequency that is doublethat of the second wave occurs at every other peak of the first wave. Awave may be defined by a simple sinusoidal equation wherein thefrequency and amplitude are constant as a function of time. The presentinvention may regulate one of both beams to be defined by a complex waveequation, wherein the frequency and/or amplitude change as a function oftime. A complex wave may be the culmination of two or more waveequations, as defined by Fourier Transform, for example. A controlsystem of the present invention may regulate one or both beams to becoherent at a treatment location and may modify the location ofcoherence to allow treatment over a treatment area.

The Fourier transform is called the frequency domain representation ofan original signal or wave. The term Fourier transform refers to boththe frequency domain representation and the mathematical operation thatassociates the frequency domain representation to a function of time. AFourier transform may define a wave form that changes amplitude and/orfrequency as a function of time and this is referred to herein as acomplex wave form, and the equation defining the wave form is defined asa complex wave form equation. A complex wave equation may be combinationof two or more wave equations. The control system may employ a computerprogram that utilizes complex wave equations, Fourier transforms and thelike to produce a high energy beam that is a complex wave, as definedherein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a coherent beam treatment system produces afirst energy beam having a first frequency and a first direction and asecond energy beam having a second frequency and a second direction. Thecontrol system comprises a beam regulator configured to adjust thefrequency of the first beam and/or second beam to create first andsecond beam coherence at a treatment location. The control system maycomprise an actuator that changes the direction of the first and/orsecond beam being emitted, and therefore may change the location ofcoherence. In this way, an area over a treatment location may be treatedby movement of one or more of the beam. An actuator may rotate a beamand a direction of a second beam may be kept constant, thereby changingthe location of intersection of the two beams along the length of thesecond beam. In addition, the control system may regulate first orsecond beam, such that the location of coherence correspondssubstantially with the location of intersection of the two beams.

A beam regulator may receive input from a microprocessor that regulatesa beam's frequency and/or amplitude as a function of time. A beam may bedefined by a complex wave, wherein the amplitude and/or frequency changeas function of time. The wave equation may be the culmination of two ormore simple wave equations, each with their own frequency and amplitude.Fourier Transform may be utilized by a control system program to provideinstruction to the regulator to control the wave produced.

A first high energy beam may be substantially different from a secondenergy beam, wherein a first energy beam has a frequency and/oramplitude that is at least 20% different than the second energy beam. Afirst high energy beam may an amplitude and or frequency that isdifferent from a second high energy beam by about 20% or more, about 30%or more, about 50% or more, about 100% or more, about 200% or more,about 500% or more and any range between and including the differencepercentage provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the first energy beamhas an amplitude and/or frequency that is at least twice that of thesecond energy beam. The first and second beams may be substantiallydifferent at a treatment location or at a location of coherence. In oneembodiment, the first and second beams are defined by a simple waveequation, having a constant frequency and amplitude as a function oftime. In another embodiment, one of the first or second energy beams aredefined by a simple wave equation and the other is defined by a complexwave equation, again, having a change in amplitude or frequency as afunction of time. In still another embodiment, both the first and secondenergy beams are defined by a complex wave equation.

In an exemplary embodiment, a coherent beam treatment system comprises afirst and a second beam generator, wherein at least one has a beamregulator. In another embodiment, both the first and second beamsgenerators are configured with a beam regulator to change the frequencyand/or amplitude of the beams. In still another embodiment, a beamgenerator produces an input beam that is then split by a beam splitterinto a first split beam and second split beam. The first and/or secondsplit beams may travel from the beam splitter to a reflector, thatdirects the first and second beams to intersect or substantially alignat a treatment location. Substantially align, as used herein, means thatthe first and second beams are close enough to have coherence. A beamsplitter may incorporate one or more prisms and a reflector may comprisea mirror. In an exemplary embodiment, a second split beam is reflectedby a mirror and is directed toward a treatment location. A split beammay be further regulated by a beam regulator. For example, a split beammay be regulated by a beam regulator that is configured after thereflector, or mirror.

An exemplary coherent beam treatment system comprises a user interface.The user interface may allow a user to set or input a treatmentlocation, may enable an input of power output of the energy beams, mayenable input of treatment time or protocol. A treatment location may beidentified on a mapped area, such as an x-ray of a person body. Forexample, treatment location may be identified on an X-ray or other imageproduced by an imaging technique. The control system may thenautomatically control the beams to be coherent at the treatmentlocation, or in an area around the treatment location. A user mayoutline a treatment location and the control system may generatecoherence of the two beams over the outlined treatment location.Furthermore, beams may be affected by a material that the beam has topass through and the user interface may enable an input of a materialtype and the control system may automatically adjust the beams toeffectively pass through the material and be coherent at a treatmentlocation.

A high energy beam may be a proton beam, neutron beam, laser or X-rays.The type of high energy beam used may be selected for the besteffectiveness of the treatment desired.

The present invention provides for a method of treating a treatmentlocation by creating high energy beam coherence at said treatmentlocation, as described herein. The treatment location may be a surfaceof a material, such as a metal or plastic. In another embodiment, thetreatment location is organic material, such as a part of a body, humanor animal. In an exemplary embodiment, a treatment location is a tumorand the treatment destroys the tumor or sufficiently damages the tumortissue to destroy the viability of cells therein. For cancer tumortreatment, the high energy beams described herein provide a treatmentoption that does not require radiation, or a radioactive source. Thiseliminates the risk of loss of a radioactive material that may be usedin terrorist activity.

The invention is directed to a neutron beam diffraction treatment systemand method of treating a work-piece. In an exemplary embodiment, aneutron beam diffraction material treatment system comprises a firstneutron beam source configured to produce a first neutron beam having afirst direction and a second neutron beam source configured to produce asecond neutron beam having a second direction, wherein the secondneutron beam intersects with the first neutron beam at an intersectingpoint and whereby the first and second beams are diffracted as a resultof intersecting each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the intersectingpoint of the diffracted beams is located on a within a work-piece totreat the work-piece. The work-piece may be treated by neutronentrapment or through localized heating. The intersecting point may beconfigured to move on or within the work-piece such as by movement ofthe workpiece by an actuator, or by controlled movement of the first andsecond neutron beams, or coordinated actuation.

The intensity of the first and or second neutron beams may be change orvaried in a modulating manner to produce a changing treatment intensity.One or more magnetic coils may extend around the neutron beam from theneutron beam source, or outlet of the source, to the work-piece ortarget. The intensity of the magnetic field may be changed or modulatedto affect the neutron beam and thereby modulate the neutron beam or thediffraction properties. A magnetic coil may also be used to ensurecontainment of the neutron beam, as described further herein.

A work-piece may be plastic and work-piece treatment may includelocalized heating of the plastic surface or a portion within work-piece,such as below the surface. A work-piece may be metal, or metal alloy andtreatment of the work-piece may include neutron entrapment.

An exemplary neutron beam diffraction material treatment system maycomprise a magnetic coil configured to extend around one or each of theneutron beam and may be configured to extend around both of the neutronbeams. A magnetic coil may extend from the neutron beam source to thework-piece or work-piece station and thereby contain the neutron beam.The magnetic coil may be a continuous magnetic coil or a discretemagnetic coil. In one embodiment, a magnetic coil extends around both ofthe neutron beams. The magnetic field produced by the magnetic coil maybe configured with a power control system to ensure that the neutronbeam will not operate unless the magnetic field is activated andoperational, thereby ensuring containment of the neutron bean. In anexemplary embodiment, the magnetic field strength on the neutron bean ischanged or modulated as a function of time. This may be accomplished bychanging the strength of the magnetic field produce, such as by theamount of current drawn by the magnetic coil or by changing a positionof the magnetic coil with respect to the neutron beam. The magnetic coilmay be moved or oscillated to vary the magnetic field on the neutronbeam, for example.

Neutrons have a magnetic moment and can be affected by exposure tomagnetics fields. The shape, intensity, velocity, direction andpolarization of a neutron beam can be manipulated through magnetic fieldexposure. In an exemplary embodiment, a neutron beam regulator, or thepresent invention, comprises a magnetic coil configured around a neutronbeam between a neutron beam source and a target. A magnetic coil mayextend substantially the entire distance between a neutron beam source,or outlet of the beam source, and a target. In an exemplary embodiment,a magnetic coil is configured to extend at least partially around aneutron beam source to further contain and direct the neutrons andthereby reduce neutron radiation exposure outside proximal to the beamsource. In another exemplary embodiment, a magnetic coil is configuredto extend at least partially around a target. For example, a target maybe configured to fit within a work piece station and a magnetic coil mayextend around a portion of the work-piece station. A work-piece stationmay be configured to index in and out of a magnetic coil, whereby awork-piece can be loaded into the work-piece station and then positionedat least partially with the magnetic coil or magnetic field produced bythe coil. Again, configuring the magnetic coil and/or directing thefield around a work-piece will further contain and direct the neutronsand thereby reduce neutron radiation proximal to the target or outsideof a target area.

In an exemplary embodiment, a neutron beam regulator comprises a powercontrol system that is configured as a safety system to ensure that theneutron beam is not operational unless a containing magnetic coil ispowered on. An exemplary power control system comprises a magnetic coilpower supply output, a neutron beam source power supply output, amagnetic coil power sensor, and a power safety feature. The power safetyfeature ensures that the neutron beam generator will not receive powerfrom the power control system unless the magnetic coil is receivingpower and producing a confining magnetic field, thereby effectivelycontaining the neutron beam. A magnetic coil power supply sensor isconfigured to detect when the magnetic coil is operating and the powersafety feature is configured to prevent power supply to said neutronbeam source power supply output unless the magnetic coil power supplysensor detects that the magnetic coil is on. In embodiments with aplurality of discrete magnetic coils that may have their own coil poweroutput, a single power supply may be configured to power each of thecoil power outputs. A magnetic coil power sensor may be configured withthis single power supply. The power supply to a neutron beam sourcepower supply output may be cut-off by any suitable means including aswitch that is opened in the event that the magnetic coil sensor detectsthat no power is being delivered to the magnetic coil(s).

Any suitable type of magnetic coil may be configured around a neutronbeam including a continuous magnetic coil and discrete magnetic coils. Amagnetic field may be generated by electromagnets, or any suitableelectrical current carrying material. In an exemplary embodiment, amagnetic coil comprises an electrically conductive wire that extendscompletely around the neutron beam, or 360 degrees around the beam. Insome cases, a magnetic coil is configured as a discrete magnetic coil orring that extends around the neutron beam. A discrete magnetic coilextends a portion of the neutron beam length, or distance from theneutron beam source or outlet to a target, including, but not limitedto, no more than about one quarter of the neutron beam length, no morethan about one third of the neutron beam length, no more than one halfof the neutron beam length and any range between and including thediscrete magnetic coil extension lengths. Any suitable number ofdiscrete coils may be configured around the neutron beam including, butnot limited to, 2 or more, 4 or more, 6 or more, 10 or more, twenty ormore and any range between and including the number of coils provided.In another embodiment a magnetic coil is configured as a continuous coilthat winds around the neutron beam in a substantially continuous manneror substantially the entire neutron beam length. A continuous coil, asdefined herein, extends at least about three quarters of the neutronbeam length.

A magnetic coil may comprise a single continuous wire or a plurality ofwires that may be bundled or otherwise configured in a coil or ringaround the neutron beam. In an exemplary embodiment, a single continuouscoil is configured around a neutron beam and extends from a neutron beamsource to a target. In another embodiment, a plurality of discrete coilsare configured along the neutron beam between the beam source and thetarget.

The magnetic coils may be configured in any suitable manner around theneutron beam. In one embodiment, one or more discrete magnetic coils areconfigured proximal to the neutron beam and a continuous magnetic coilis configured around or outside of the one or more discrete magneticcoils. In this embodiment, the outer continuous magnetic coil may beconfigured primarily as a neutron beam containment coil to reduceneutron radiation leakage. In addition, in this embodiment, the one ormore discrete magnetic coils may be independently powered by a beammodulator controller to provide a modulating magnetic field that isconfigured to change the properties of the neutron beam as desired. Abeam modulator controller is configured to enable modulation of theelectrical current to the discrete coils and therefore modulation of themagnetic field intensity or direction. For example, the magnetic fieldintensity of a first magnetic coil configured proximal to a neutron beamsource may be higher, such as two times or more, the magnetic fieldintensity of a second magnetic coil configured more proximal to atarget. The magnetic field may be modulated to change the shape,intensity, velocity, direction and polarization of a neutron beam. Themagnetic field may be modulated to ensure a sufficient level ofcontainment of the neutron beam depending on the neutron beam source ortype, the length of the beam from the source to the target and the like.In addition, a magnetic field may be modulated to increase the amount ofexposure of a particular incident surface. An incident surface may be amaterial for analysis, a material for hardening through the bombardmentwith a neutron beam, a patient tissue or cancer tumor location and thelike. An incident surface may be plastic or metal or organic tissue.

A neutron beam regulator may comprise a work-piece station that isconfigured to retain a work-piece for exposure to a neutron beamconfigured within a magnetic field. In an exemplary embodiment, awork-piece station is configured to move and thereby move the locationof the incident neutron beam on the work-piece surface. A neutron beamregulator may be configured with a modulating magnetic coil that isconfigured to receive a variable power input from the beam modulatorcontroller. The work-piece may be positioned and indexed to change thelocation of the incident neutron beam and the intensity of the neutronbeam may be modulated to enable variable conditioning or treatment ofthe work-piece surface. For example, a first portion of a work-piecesurface may be exposed to a higher intensity beam and therefore have ahigher hardness, and a second portion of a work-piece may be exposed toa lower intensity neutron beam and have a resulting lower hardness. Thiscombination of neutron beam intensity modulation along with work-piecepositioning enables complete tailoring of work-piece treatmentconditions heretofore not available. This same principle may be used toalso provide specific and more precise treatment of cancerous tumors,whereby the tumor itself may be exposed to a much higher neutron beamintensity than surrounding tissue. This controlled method may reducedamage to surrounding tissue and more effectively treat a tumor. Thecoherence of two high energy beams may be moved by a change in theFourier transform equations used to control one or more of the beams, ormay physical movement of one or more of the beams, either bydisplacement or by rotation. In this way, a tumor, for example, may besubjected to coherence of the two beams over substantially the entiretumor. Higher energy may be imparted into the core of central region ofthe tumor than around the periphery, to reduce damage to surroundingtissue.

In an exemplary embodiment, a neutron beam regulator system isconfigured with at least one magnetic coil that extends around a neutronbeam between a neutron beam source and a target, a work-piece stationand a treatment control system. A treatment control system is configuredwith a beam modulator controller to control the power supply to themagnetic field and therefore the intensity of the neutron beam. Inaddition, a treatment control system may comprise a beam locationprogram configured to track the location of a neutron beam with respectto an incident surface, such as on a work-piece or proximal a tumor. Abeam modulator controller may be configured to vary a property of aneutron beam as a function of said neutron beam location. As described,this type of system enables a tailored treatment function and this maybe programmed into the treatment control system. A neutron beamregulator system comprising a treatment control system may also comprisea power control system and the treatment control system may beconfigured with the power control system. A one-piece unit may houseboth the treatment control system and the power control system.

A novel method of regulating a neutron beam source is provided by any ofthe embodiments of the neutron beam regulator as described herein. Inone exemplary method, a neutron beam source and magnetic coil are bothplugged into a power control system. The power control system is poweredon thereby enabling power supply to both the magnetic coil and theneutron beam generator and thereby substantially containing the neutronbeam within the magnetic coil. The magnetic coil power sensor isconfigured to monitor the power supply to the magnetic coil and, in theevent of a loss of power being drawn by the magnetic coil, the powersupply to the neutron beam source will be terminated. It is to beunderstood that a threshold power draw level may be set for the magneticcoil power supply output and the magnetic coil power sensor may beconfigured to detect a power draw below this threshold level and therebyterminate power to the neutron beam source.

The neutron beam regulator system, as described herein, may effectivelykeep neutrons outside of the containment and/or modulating magneticcoils, thereby creating an exclusion zone. In some environments, labsand processing facilities for example, it may be important to excludeany neutrons from entering into the exclusion zone as they may interferewith the neutron beam.

The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction tosome of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to belimiting. Additional example embodiments including variations andalternative configurations of the invention are provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beam diffractionmaterial treatment system comprising a first and a second neutron beamsource and neutron beams intersecting on a work-piece.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having firstand a second neutron beams intersecting on the work-piece and creatingneutron diffraction.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having firstand second neutron beams intersecting within the interior of thework-piece and creating neutron diffraction. A discrete cube shapedtreated work-piece portion has been created in the interior of thework-piece.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having firstand second neutron beams intersecting within the interior of thework-piece and creating neutron diffraction. A discrete cylindricalshaped treated work-piece portion has been created in the interior ofthe work-piece.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having firstand second neutron beams intersecting within the interior of thework-piece and creating neutron diffraction. A beam shaped treatedwork-piece portion has been created in the interior of the work-piece.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having anI-Beam shaped treated work-piece portion.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing thatthe I-Beam shaped treated work-piece portion extends through thework-piece from Face A to Face B.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having aplanar shaped treated work-piece portions.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showingthat the planar shaped treated work-piece portion extends through thework-piece from Face A to Face B. The planar shaped treated work-pieceportions form treated panel portions within the interior of thework-piece.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having acylindrical shaped treated work-piece portions.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. 10 showingthat the cylindrical shaped treated work-piece portion extends throughthe work-piece from Face A to Face B.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view along line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showingthat the cylindrical shaped treated work-piece portion extends throughthe work-piece from Face A to Face B.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an exemplary work-piece having athread type treated work-piece portions.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view along line 14-14 of FIG. 13 showingthat the thread type treated work-piece portion extend through thework-piece from and are configured within the interior volume of thework-piece.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view along line 15-15 of FIG. 13 showingthat the thread type treated work-piece portions extend through thework-piece from surface to surface.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beamdiffraction material treatment system comprising a first neutron beamsource and a second neutron beam source producing neutron beams that areintersecting on a work-piece 80.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a first neutron beam and a secondneutron beam intersecting on a work-piece to create neutron diffractionand having an offset angle.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a neutron beam and a second neutronbeam intersecting on a work-piece to create neutron diffraction andhaving an offset angle. In this embodiment, the second neutron beam isat a much lower offset angle than the embodiment shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beam regulatorsystem comprising a power control system and a plurality of discretemagnetic coils configured around a neutron beam and extendingsubstantially from the neutron beam source to the target, or the neutronbeam length.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beam regulatorsystem comprising a continuous magnetic coil configured around a neutronbeam and extending substantially the entire neutron beam length.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view an exemplary neutron beam regulatorsystem comprising a continuous magnetic coil configured partially aroundthe neutron beam source or generator.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beam regulatorsystem comprising a continuous magnetic coil configured partially aroundthe neutron beam source or generator and partially around a work-piecestation.

FIG. 23 shows a diagram of an exemplary power control system comprisinga power safety feature configured to terminate power to a neutron beamsource in the event that no power is being drawn by a containmentmagnetic coil. The switch is in an open position and the neutron beamsource is deactivated.

FIG. 24 shows a diagram of an exemplary power control system comprisinga power safety feature configured to terminate power to a neutron beamsource in the event that no power is being drawn by a containmentmagnetic coil. The switch is in a closed position and the neutron beamsource is activated, as the magnetic coil is drawing power to containthe neutron beam.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beam regulatorsystem comprising a containment magnetic coil configured around amodulating magnetic coil.

FIG. 26 shows a top-down view of a work-piece having areas treated withdifferent levels of neutron bombardment through magnetic coilmodulation.

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beam systemcomprising a continuous excluding magnetic coil configured around aneutron beam and extending substantially the entire neutron beam length.

FIG. 28 shows coherence of two beams at a treatment location.

FIG. 29 shows a first beam having a first frequency and a second beamhaving a second frequency that is higher than the first beam frequency.

FIG. 30 shows a first beam having a first frequency and amplitude, and asecond beam having a second frequency and amplitude.

FIG. 31 shows a first beam and second beam having a coherence.

FIG. 32 shows a first complex beam or wave, wherein the frequency andamplitude change as a function of time.

FIG. 33 shows a control system having first and second beam generatorsthat produce a first and second beam, respectively.

FIG. 34 shows a control system having first and second beam generatorsthat are offset from each other and produce beams that intersect at atreatment location.

FIG. 35 shows a control system comprising a beam generator, a prism andmirror that produce a first and second beam that intersect at atreatment location.

FIG. 36 shows a control system comprising a beam generator, a prism, amirror and a second beam regulator for regulating the second beam.

FIG. 37 shows a graph of a proton beam having a high energy frequency.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent anillustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some featuresmay be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describeelements and components described herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention.This description should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedherein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodimentsdescribed are only for purposes of illustrating the present inventionand should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications,combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occurto those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments,combinations, modifications and improvements are within the scope of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary neutron beam diffraction materialtreatment system 100 comprises a first neutron beam source 20 and asecond neutron beam source 20′ that create neutron beams 22, 22′ thatare intersecting on a work-piece 80. The intersecting neutrons beamscreate neutron diffraction that produces a treatment portion within thework-piece, such as on the surface of the work-piece or within the depthof the work-piece. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a neutron beam regulatorsystem 12, as described herein, that is coupled with the first neutronbeam source. The neutron beam source may be used to contain the neutronor modulate the intensity of the neutron beam, as described herein. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the power control system 12 comprises a powercontrol system 13, a power control system housing 40, at least oneneutron beam source power supply output 34, a magnetic coil power supplyoutput and a modulating coil output 37. It is to be understood that asingle neutron beam regulator system may be coupled with both the firstand second neutron beam sources or a separate neutron beam regulatorsystem may be couple with each neutron beam source. In an alternativeembodiment, magnetic coil extends around both the first and secondneutron beams and may be controlled by a single regulator. It is also tobe understood that two or more neutron beam sources and/or beams may beutilized in the neutron beam diffraction material treatment system, asdescribed herein. The magnetic coils 15 shown in FIG. 1 are discretemagnetic coils and have a separate power supply, via separate magneticcoil plugs 38, to the power control system. The work-piece 80 isconfigured on a work-piece station 81 that may be configured to move inone or more direction and/or rotate.

As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary work-piece 80 is being treated with theneutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as described herein.A first neutron beam 26 and a second neutron beam 27 are intersecting onthe work-piece at an intersecting point 112 which creates neutrondiffraction 122. The intersection of the two neutron beams and theneutron diffraction treats the work-piece material to produce a treatedwork-piece portion 114. A treated work-piece portion may be subjected toan elevated temperature and/or the entrapment of neutrons from theintersection of the two neutron beams. The treated work-piece portion inthis embodiment is on the surface of the work-piece.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary work-piece 80 is being treated with theneutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as described herein.The first and second neutron beams 26, 27, respectively, areintersecting within the depth of the work-piece, or below a work-piecesurface 110. The depth 111 of the intersecting point 112 from thework-piece surface 111 may be any suitable depth and may be dynamicallychanged to produce various shapes and geometries of treated work-pieceportions. As shown in FIG. 3 a cube shaped treated work-piece portion114 has been created below the work-piece surface. The treatedwork-piece portion 114 is indicated by the cross-hashed cube withinwork-piece and is a bulk treated work-piece portion, as it does extendto a work-piece surface 110. In addition, the treated work-piece portionis a discrete work-piece portion having a defined outer surface that isnot connected with another treated work-piece portion.

As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary work-piece 80 is being treated with theneutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as described herein.A cylindrical shaped treated work-piece portion is being created by themovement of the intersecting point 112, as indicated by the bold arrow.A large portion of the work-piece is a non-treated work-piece portion116. Both of the neutron beams are actuated in coordinated actuation,such that the intersecting point moves along the cylindrical shape toproduce the cylindrically shaped treated work-piece portion. The neutronbeams may be actuated in any suitable manner, such as along one or moreaxes, or rotated about any axis, such as a traditional X, Y, and Z axisconfiguration as shown. This cylindrical treated work-piece portion maybe configured to reinforce a coupling or fastener that in attached orinserted into the work-piece 80. For example, a pin or a bolt may beconfigured for insertion into a cylindrically shaped treated work-pieceportion. Treatment of the work-piece, as shown may reduce any wearassociated with forces exerted on the pin or fastener, or may strengthenthe attachment of the pin or fastener.

As shown in FIG. 5 an exemplary work-piece 80 is being treated with theneutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as described herein.Two elongated square shaped treated work-piece portions 114 have beenproduced, as indicated by the cross-hashed areas. Linear or elongatedtreated work-piece portions may strengthen the work-piece primarily inone direction, whereby the work-piece has a higher stiffness or breakstrength in the axis of the elongated treated work-piece portions, forexample.

As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary work-piece 80 has been treated with theneutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as described herein,to produce an exemplary I-beam shaped treated work-piece portion 114.The I-beam shaped portion has two planar portions that are parallel andin this example extend along the outer surface 110 of work-piece and aconnecting portion that extends through the bulk or depth of thework-piece between the two planar portions. An I-beam shape is wellknown for providing a stiff structural member with reduced weight. Asshown in FIG. 7 the I-beam shaped treated work-piece portion extendsthrough the work-piece from Face A to Face B.

As shown in FIG. 8, an exemplary work-piece 80 has been treated with theneutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as described herein,to produce a plurality of planar shaped treated work-piece portions 114with non-treated work-piece portion 116, therebetween. The planar shapedtreated work-piece portions are substantially parallel and extend from afirst surface 110 to a second surface 110′ of the work-piece material.As shown in FIG. 9, the planar shaped treated work-piece portion extendsthrough the work-piece from Face A to Face B. The planar shaped treatedwork-piece portions form treated panel portions within the interior ofthe work-piece.

As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary work-piece 80 has been treated withthe neutron beam diffraction material treatment system, as describedherein, to produce a cylindrical shaped treated work-piece portion 114around as aperture 115. As shown in FIG. 11, the cylindrical shapedtreated work-piece portion extends through the work-piece from Face A toFace B. As shown in FIG. 12, the cylindrical shaped treated work-pieceportion extends around the aperture 115.

As shown in FIG. 13 an exemplary work-piece has a thread type treatedwork-piece portions 132. FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view along line14-14 of FIG. 13 showing that the thread type treated work-pieceportions extend through the work-piece and are configured within theinterior volume of the work-piece 80. FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectionalview along line 15-15 of FIG. 13 showing that the thread type treatedwork-piece portions 132 extend through the work-piece from surface 110to surface 110′. A thread type treated work-piece portion is elongatedhaving a length 134 that is more than about 10 times a maximumcross-length dimension 135, as shown in FIG. 15. It is to be noted thatthe diameter or cross-section of a thread type treated work-pieceportion may change over the length, wherein in a first location alongthe length the cross-dimension of the treated portion is greater than ina second location along the length.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an exemplary neutron beamdiffraction material treatment system 100 comprising a first neutronbeam source 20 and a second neutron beam source 20′ that are producingneutron beams 22, 22′ respectively. The neutron beams are intersectingat intersection point 112 on a work-piece 80. Neutron beam source 20 and20′ are configured to rotate about two axes as indicated by the boldarrow around the axes lines. These two degrees of freedom enables theintersection point 112 to be moved from one location to anotherlocation. An intersecting point may be dynamically moved from a firstposition to a second position, wherein the work-piece is treated inbetween the first and second locations.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a first neutron beam 26 and a secondneutron beam 27 intersecting on a work-piece 80 to create neutrondiffraction 122 and having an offset angle 120. The second neutron beamis offset from the first neutron beam by offset angle 120 which may beany suitable offset angle including more than about 5 degrees to 180degrees. The X, Y, and Z axes are shown and it is to be understood thatthe neutron beam may be directed in any orientation along or betweenthese axes.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a neutron beam 26 and a secondneutron beam 27 intersecting on a work-piece 80 to create neutrondiffraction 122 and having an offset angle 120. In this embodiment, thesecond neutron beam is at a much lower offset angle than the embodimentshown in FIG. 17.

As shown in FIG. 19, an exemplary neutron beam regulator system 12comprises a power control system 13 and a plurality of discrete magneticcoils 16-16″ configured around a neutron beam 22 and extendingsubstantially from the neutron beam source 20 to the target 19, or theneutron beam length 60. Each of the discrete magnetic coils has anindividual power supply 35 and individual or discrete magnetic coilplugs 39. This magnetic coil configuration may be configured to bothcontain the neutron beam and also to modulate the neutron beam throughchanges in the magnetic field strength or direction. One or more of thediscrete magnetic coils may be a modulating magnetic coil 17 and becoupled with a modulating coil output 37. A modulating magnetic coilcontroller 48 may be configured to enable a user to modulate the leveland/or direction of the magnetic field 11 produced by one or moremodulating magnetic coils 17. The electrical current running through thecoils will produce a magnetic field as indicated by the spiral having anarrow around the coil 11′ and will follow the principle of the “righthand rule”. The modulating magnetic coil controller 48 is depicted as adial but may be any suitable user input device including, but notlimited to, a button, knob, computer input screen or field and the like.The power control system 13 is configured in a single power controlhousing 40 having a single plug for coupling with a power source 30, aneutron beam source power supply output 34 and one or more magnetic coilpower supply outputs 35. The containment magnetic coils 15 may produce amagnetic field that that excludes neutrons from outside of the coilsfrom entering and may steer or direct the outside neutrons away from theneutron beam regulator system 12

As shown in FIG. 20, an exemplary neutron beam regulator system 12comprises a continuous magnetic coil 52 configured around a neutron beamand extending substantially the entire neutron beam length 60. Thecontinuous magnetic coil is a spiraled coil 54 having a continuouslength from a first end to a second end, or extending spiralingsubstantially the entire length of the neutron beam length 60. Thecontinuous magnetic coil may be a containment magnetic coil 15 and mayalso be configured as a modulating magnetic coil 17. A user may run theneutron beam regulator system with a constant magnetic field intensitywhereby the magnetic coil acts simply as a containment magnetic coil. Inanother embodiment, a user may vary the magnetic field intensity,thereby causing the magnetic coil to be a modulating magnetic coil 17. Aneutron beam 22 exits the neutron source 20 at the neutron beam output24 and extends to a target 19. The target is configured on awork-station 81 having an actuator 88 to move the target up into themagnetic field generated by the magnetic coil 15. The actuator mayenable a user to load a work-station with a work-piece for processingand then actuate the part up into the magnetic coil. After thework-piece has been processed, the actuator may move the work-stationdown and from the magnetic coil to allow a user to remove the work-pieceor target. This actuating work-station further reduces neutron radiationexposure by placing the work-piece within the magnetic field. Thedirection of the electrical current around the coils, as indicated bythe arrows tangent with the magnetic coils, produces a magnetic field 11that contains the neutron beam 22 and also directs it from the beamoutlet 24 to the target 19.

As shown in FIG. 21, an exemplary neutron beam regulator system 12comprises a continuous magnetic coil 52 configured partially around theneutron beam source 20 or generator. The magnetic coil 15 extendsupstream of the neutron beam output, or the location where the beamexits the neutron beam generator. Again, this configuration reducesneutron radiation exposure by placing the neutron beam output 24 withinthe magnetic field.

As shown in FIG. 22, an exemplary neutron beam regulator system 12comprises a continuous magnetic coil 52 configured partially around theneutron beam source 20 and partially around a work-piece station 81. Themagnetic coil extends downstream of where the neutron beam hits thetarget or work-piece station. This configuration reduces neutronradiation exposure by placing both the neutron beam output 24 and thetarget within the magnetic field. It is to be understood that additionalneutron absorbing material may be configured around the neutron source,the target or work-station, or along the neutron beam length. A magneticcoil may be configured in a housing that comprises neutron absorbingmaterials such as boron, for example.

As shown in FIG. 23, an exemplary power control system 13 comprises apower safety feature 43 comprising a magnetic coil power sensor 42 and aswitch 44 that are configured to terminate power to a neutron beamsource 20 in the event that no power, or a power level below somethreshold power level, is being drawn by a containment magnetic coil 15.The switch 44 is in an open position and the neutron beam source isdeactivated. As shown, the magnetic coil plug 38 is not plugged into themagnetic coil power supply output 35, and therefore no power is beingdrawn by the magnetic coil 15. A power safety feature may be configuredwith a magnetic coil power sensor that is coupled with one or moremagnetic coil power supply outputs and specifically magnetic coilsconfigured as containment magnetic coils. The neutron beam plug 39 isplugged into the neutron beam power supply output 34 but no power isprovided. This safety feature ensures that the neutron beam will not beactivated unless a containment magnetic coil is drawing power. Acontroller 46, such as a microprocessor may be configured to control thefunctions of the power control system.

As shown in FIG. 24, an exemplary power control system 13 comprises apower safety feature 43 that has enabled power supply to the neutronbeam power supply output 34. The switch 44 is in a closed position andthe neutron beam source 20 is activated, as the magnetic coil 15 isdrawing power to contain the neutron beam 22.

As shown in FIG. 25, an exemplary neutron beam regulator system 12comprises a containment magnetic coil 15 configured around a modulatingmagnetic coil 17. The containment magnetic coil is configured to reduceneutron radiation leakage from the system and the modulating magneticcoil is configured to change one or more properties of the neutron beamincluding, but not limited to, shape, intensity, velocity, direction andpolarization. The modulating magnetic coil is inside of the containmentmagnetic coil in this embodiment. Any suitable combination ofcontainment and modulating magnetic coils may be configured with aneutron beam regulator, as described herein. A containment magnetic coilmay be a spiral coil that extends substantially the entire length of theneutron beam, and a modulating magnetic coil may be a discrete coil thatis configured more proximal to the target. In another embodiment amodulating coil is a spiral coil that is configured proximal to thetarget but does not extend to the neutron beam generator. The neutronbeam 22 is incident on a work-piece 80 that is configured on awork-piece station 81. A work-piece actuator 87 is configured to movethe work-piece in one or more directions to change where the neutronbeam hits the work-piece. As shown in FIG. 25, the work-piece actuatoris configured to move the work-piece both back and forth, as indicatedby the double-ended arrow, and also rotate the work-piece. These twoactuation controls will enable the entire work-piece to be treated withthe neutron beam. The incident location 89 of the neutron beam on thework-piece may be changed by actuation of the work-piece actuator toallow partial or complete surface treatment of the work-piece. A beamlocation program 98 is configured with the neutron beam regulator system12 and enables positive tracking of a neutron beam on a work-piece asthe work-piece is moved. A treatment program 99 is configured with theneutron beam regulator system 12 and enables modulation of the neutronbeam as a function of position on the work-piece. A treatment programenables a work-piece to be treated with different levels of the neutronbeam depending on the position on the work-piece.

As shown in FIG. 26, an exemplary work-piece 80 has areas treated withdifferent levels of neutron bombardment through magnetic coil modulationas indicated by the different shaded areas of the work-piece. Thiswork-piece has two apertures 86, 86′, or bolt holes. This particularwork-piece needs to be stiff in the areas 82, 84, around these fasteninglocations as indicated by the dark shaded areas. The work-piece howeverneeds to be more supple, or less stiff, in the portion between the twoapertures 83, as indicated by the lighter shading. The neutron beamregulator system, as described herein, enables this precise andcontrolled stiffening of a work-piece through modulated neutronbombardment. The neutron beam shape, intensity, velocity, direction andpolarization may be modulated by a modulated magnetic coil as incidentneutron beam location is changes over the work-piece.

As shown in FIG. 27, an exemplary neutron beam system 28 comprises anexcluding magnetic coil 18 that is a continuous magnetic coil 52configured around the neutron beam and extending substantially theentire neutron beam length 60. The continuous magnetic coil is aspiraled coil 54 having a continuous length from a first end to a secondend, or extending spiraling substantially the entire length of theneutron beam length 60. The continuous magnetic coil is an excludingmagnetic coil 18 and produces an excluding magnetic field 66 asindicated by the bold arrows. The excluding magnetic field substantiallyprevents outside neutrons 64 from entering into the coil area,interfering with the neutron beam or impacting the target 19. Anexcluding magnetic coil may be used in situations where the target issensitive to neutron and any exposure to stray neutrons may interferewith the target or reflection/diffraction measured from said target. Itis to be understood that an excluding magnetic coil may be added to anyof the neutron beam regulator systems as defined herein. It is also tobe understood that an excluding magnetic coil may be configured as acontinuous or discrete coil and may extend at least partially around thetarget or neutron source output.

As shown in FIG. 28, a first beam 230 and second beam 240 have coherence250 at a treatment location 201. A first beam generator 220 and secondbeam generator are offset from each other by an offset distance 235.Note that the first beam has a much lower frequency than the secondbeam. The first beam and second beam are coherent at the treatmentlocation, the first and or second beam may be changed in frequency oramplitude to adjust a position of coherence and to treat a desiredtreatment location. In addition, the first and/or second beam generatormay be adjusted in position, displaced in one more directions, to changethe location of coherence.

As shown in FIG. 29, a first beam 230 has a first frequency and a secondbeam 240 has a second frequency that is higher than the first beamfrequency. The first and second beams are coherent at a plurality ofcoherent locations 250, 250. The frequency of the second beam issubstantially different from the frequency of the first beam, whereinthe second beam has a frequency that is at least 20% greater the firstbeam.

As shown in FIG. 30, a first beam 230 has a first frequency and secondamplitude and a second beam 240 has a second frequency and secondamplitude that is higher than the first beam amplitude. The first andsecond beams are coherent at a plurality of coherent locations 250, 250.The first beam has an amplitude that is substantially less than thesecond beam, wherein the second beam has an amplitude that is at least20% more that the first amplitude.

As shown in FIG. 31, a first beam 230 and second beam 240 have acoherence 250 over a number of periods.

As shown in FIG. 32, a first complex beam 231 has a frequency thatchanges as a function of time. The first beam also has a change inamplitude as a function of time. The first beam is defined by a complexwave equation, such as by Fourier Transform. As described herein, acontrol system may regulate a first and/or second beam to be defined bya complex wave equation. The complex beams or waves are defined by acomplex wave equation, as defined herein and described in detail in thereference incorporated by reference herein. The beam 231 has a firsttime domain, or period of time, having a much higher frequency andamplitude that a second time domain, or second period of time. The beammay oscillate between these two domains as a function of time inpredictable or controlled manner, as defined by a complex wave equation.A control system may utilize a computer program to modulate or change awave frequency and/or amplitude or change a domain.

As shown in FIG. 33, an exemplary coherent beam treatment system 200incorporates a control system 210 that has a first beam generator 220and second beam generator 220 that produce a first beam 230 and secondbeam 240, respectively. A beam regulator 260 regulates the first beam230 to be coherent 250 at a treatment location 201. It is to beunderstood that the first and second beam generators may be enclosed ina single housing or enclosure 207. One or more microprocessors 270 mayincorporate at control program that provides instructions to the beamregulator(s). The control program may generate a beam defined by acomplex wave, or a beam that changes frequency and/or amplitude as afunction of time. A complex wave equation may utilize Fourier Transform.

As shown in FIG. 34, an exemplary coherent beam treatment system 200incorporates a control system 210 that has a first beam generator 220and second beam generator 220′ that are offset by an offset distance 235c from each other and produce beams that intersect at a treatmentlocation 201. The microprocessor 270 provides instructions to the beamregulators 260 to have the beams be coherent beams 250 at the treatmentlocation 201.

As shown in FIG. 35, an exemplary coherent beam treatment system 200incorporates a control system 210 comprising a microprocessor 270 thatinterfaces with the beam regulator to create beam coherence 250 at atreatment location 201. The microprocessor may utilize a computerprogram that establishes a complex wave equation, such as a Fouriertransform equation and the like to produce a high energy beam that is acomplex wave. The computer program may also provide equations for simplewaves, having constant amplitude and frequency for one or more of thebeams. As describe herein, the beams may have different amplitude and/orfrequency however, or one may move with respect to the other or thetreatment location. In this exemplary embodiment, a beam generator 260produces an input beam 237 that is incident on a beam splitter 280, suchas a prism 281. The beam splitter splits the input beam into a firstsplit beam 231 and a second split beam 241. The second split beam 241 isincident on a mirror 290 that reflects and directs the second split beamto the treatment location. The first split beam and second split beamintersect with and are coherent with each other at the treatmentlocation 201. The mirror may be moved by the control system to directthe second split beam. A user interface 214 is shown that may be used toprovide inputs to the control system. A material input factor may beinput into the system and this input may be used to control the firstand or second beams, or split beams for transmission through thematerial 209.

As shown in FIG. 36, an exemplary coherent beam treatment system 200incorporates a control system 210, a beam splitter 280 and a mirror 290.The second split beam is reflected by the mirror and then is received bya beam regulator. The second split beam may be regulated to producecoherence with the first split beam 231 at the treatment location 201.It is to be understood that the second split beam 241 may be received bya beam regulator before being incident on a mirror 290.

As shown in FIG. 37, a proton beam has a periodic high depth ofpenetration 295. A control system may regulate a proton beam such thatthe high depth of penetration is coherent with another beam at atreatment location.

DEFINITION

The term, coordinated actuation, as used herein, means that a first andsecond neutron beam are moved to create an intersecting point that movesalong or within a work-piece.

A target is any object that a neutron may be incident on for treatment,analysis or conditioning, including neutron bombardment to stiffen orharden a material or work-piece. A target may be a person's tissue andparticularly a tumor. A target may be a physical work-piece that isbeing analyzed or conditioned through neutron bombardment and may be ametal, plastic, ceramic, composite and the like.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations and variations can be made in the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may bemodified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intendedthat the present invention cover the modifications, combinations andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Fourier transform mathematical expressions, equations, and applications,including forms of differential equations and the use of Fouriertransforms to create coherence are described in the followingreferences, all of which are incorporated by reference herein:

-   Lectures Notes For, EE261: The Fourier Transform and its    Application, Prof. Brad Osgood, Electrical Engineering Department,    Stanford University (This document is provided with the filing of    this application);-   The Fourier Transform and its Application, Third Edition, Ronald N    Bracewell ISBN-13: 978-0073039381, McGraw-Hill    Science/Engineering/Math; Jun. 8, 1999;-   Fourier Transforms; Ian N. Sneddon, ISBN-13: 080-0759685226, Dover    Publications. Sep. 28, 2010;-   Fourier transform representation of an ideal lens in coherent    optical systems, (NASA technical report, NASA TR R-319), B0006CN02W.    National Aeronautics and Space Administration; for sale by the    Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information,    Springfield, Va. (1970); sds-   Fourier Transforms and Imaging with Coherent Optical Systems,    Okan K. Ersoy, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2007; and-   Linear Systems, Fourier Transforms, and Optics, Jack D. Gaskill,    ISBN-13: 978-0471292883, Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (June 1978).

What is claimed is:
 1. A material treatment system comprising: a) afirst energy beam having a first frequency and a first direction; b) asecond energy beam having a second frequency and a second direction; c)a control system comprising a beam regulator configured to adjust thefrequency of said first beam to create a first and second beam coherenceat a treatment location.
 2. The material treatment system of claim 1,wherein the first frequency is substantially different than the secondfrequency at the treatment location.
 3. The material treatment system ofclaim 1, wherein the first frequency is at least twice the secondfrequency at the treatment location.
 4. The material treatment system ofclaim 1, wherein the first beam has a first amplitude at the treatmentlocation and the second beam has a second amplitude at the treatmentlocation and wherein the first amplitude and second amplitude aresubstantially different at the treatment location.
 5. The materialtreatment system of claim 1, where the first beam is a complex wavehaving a first frequency that is defined by a complex equation, whereinthe first frequency changes as a function of time.
 6. The materialtreatment system of claim 5, wherein the control system utilizes aFourier transform to control said first beam emitted by the beamregulator; wherein said first frequency changes as a function of time.7. The material treatment system of claim 5, where the second beam is acomplex wave having a second frequency that is defined by a complexequation, wherein said second frequency changes as a function of time.8. The material treatment system of claim 1, where the first beam is acomplex wave having a first amplitude that is defined by a complexequation, wherein said first amplitude changes as a function of time. 9.The material treatment system of claim 8, where the second beam is acomplex wave having a second amplitude that is defined by a complexequation, wherein said second amplitude changes as a function of time.10. The material treatment system of claim 1, where the first beam is acomplex wave having a first amplitude and a first frequency that aredefined by a complex equation, wherein said first amplitude and firstfrequency change as a function of time.
 11. The material treatmentsystem of claim 10, where the second beam is a complex wave having asecond amplitude and a second frequency that are defined by a complexequation, wherein said second amplitude and second frequency change as afunction of time.
 12. The material treatment system of claim 11, whereinthe control system includes a first material parameter input for a firstmaterial, and wherein the control system utilizes said materialparameter input to control the first frequency of the first beam fortransmission through said first material and controls the secondfrequency of the second beam for transmission though a second materialtype, and wherein the first and second materials are different.
 13. Thematerial treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondfrequencies are adjusted by the control system to adjust a position ofcoherence; wherein a treatment location having a size is treated oversubstantially said size by adjustment of said position of coherence. 14.The material treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first energy beamand the second energy beams are proton beams.
 15. The material treatmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the first energy beam and the second energybeams are neutron beams.
 16. The material treatment system of claim 1,wherein the first energy beam and the second energy beams are X-ray. 17.The material treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first energy beamand the second energy beams are lasers.
 18. The material treatmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the first energy beam and the second energybeams electron beams.
 19. The material treatment system of claim 1,wherein the first energy beam and the second energy beams acousticbeams.
 20. The material treatment system of claim 1, comprising: a) afirst energy beam source configured to produce an input beam; b) a beamsplitter configured to received said first energy beam and split saidfirst energy beam into said first beam and said second beam.
 21. Thematerial treatment system of claim 20, wherein the beam slittercomprises a prism.
 22. The material treatment system of claim 21,further comprising at least one mirror configured to direct one of thefirst beam or second beams to a treatment location.
 23. The materialtreatment system of claim 20, wherein a beam regulator is configured toreceive said first beam from the beam splitter and regulate a frequencyof said first beam.
 24. The material treatment system of claim 1,comprising: a) a first energy beam source configured to produce saidfirst energy beam; b) a second energy beam source configured to producesaid second energy beam.
 25. The material treatment system of claim 24,wherein the first energy beam source and the second energy beam sourceare stationary.
 26. The material treatment system of claim 24, whereinat least one of the first or second energy beam sources is configured tomove to change a location of coherence.
 27. The material treatmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the one of said first and second energy beamsis a neutron beam and wherein the material treatment system comprises aplurality of magnetic coils that extend around said neutron beam. 28.The material treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondenergy beams are neutron beams, and wherein the material treatmentsystem comprises a plurality of magnetic coils that extend around saidfirst energy beam and a plurality of magnetic coils that extend aroundsaid second energy beam.
 29. A method of treating material comprisingthe steps of: a) providing a material treatment system comprising: i) afirst energy beam having a first frequency and a first direction; ii) asecond energy beam having a second frequency and a second direction;iii) a beam regulator configured to control the frequency of the firstenergy beam; b) directing said first and second energy beams at atreatment location; c) adjust the frequency of said first beam to createfirst and second beam coherence at a treatment location; wherein thefrequency of the first and second beam are substantially different. 30.The method of treating material of claim 29, wherein the beam regulatorcomprising a control system that utilizes a Fourier transform equationto produce first and second beam coherence at a treatment location. 31.The method of treating material of claim 29, wherein the material istissue.
 32. The method of treating material of claim 29, wherein thematerial is a tumor.